Bengals' Andy Dalton credits success to Katy background

The 'demanding' atmosphere laid the foundation of an NFL career

Quarterback Andy Dalton, left, has seen the Bengals' season not go according to form as they sit at 5-8-1 after making the playoffs the last five seasons.

Quarterback Andy Dalton, left, has seen the Bengals' season not go...

The Katy background of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton was the launching pad for his becoming an eventual two-time Pro Bowl passer.

As a senior at Katy High School in his lone full season as the starter, he passed for 2,877 yards, 42 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, was named the Chronicle's All-Greater Houston Offensive Player of the Year, and earned a scholarship to Texas Christian.

"I think Katy does a great job of building the foundation of football for the guys, and it carries over to life, too," said Dalton, who has passed for 3,712 yards, 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season for a 91.9 passer rating. "I just think the mentality of hard work … I feel like there's not another school that works as hard as what Katy does. The coaches are really demanding of you. That's the biggest thing that you can take away from my time at Katy."

Homecoming fun

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Now, Dalton, 29, returns to Houston for a Christmas Eve game on Saturday night against the Texans at NRG Stadium.

During a conference call on Tuesday with Houston reporters, Dalton said immediate family and a few friends will attend the game.

"I'll have a good amount of people there," said Dalton, a former second-round draft pick who passed for 3,000 yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, one of six quarterbacks to do so along with Cam Newton, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, Ryan Tannehill and Russell Wilson. "It's going to be fun to be back in Houston, and I'll get to see a lot of family, especially with it being Christmas Eve. It will be fun to be back down there."

The Bengals have had a difficult season, hampered by injuries to wide receiver A.J. Green and running back Giovani Bernard, and are 5-8-1 and in third place in the AFC North. This game carries no real stakes for them other than pride and perhaps providing a boost for coach Marvin Lewis' job security.

Under pressure

"We'll do whatever we can to win these last two games," said Dalton, who was outdueled by T.J. Yates in a 2012 wild-card playoff game against the Texans as Dalton committed three turnovers during a 31-10 loss. "We're preparing the same way we always do. We're going to play our best. We're playing a really good defense. The Texans, they have a lot to play for right now. We know the task we have in front of us. We have to come out and play our best."

The Texans have the top-ranked defense in the NFL and are second overall against the pass.

They're led by standout defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who has recorded a career-high five sacks and 15 tackles for losses.

"He's been playing well," Dalton said. "I feel like this is the best football he's played. He does a great job of rushing the passer, getting around the quarterback. For me, I've got to be on time with the ball and get the ball out of my hands quick."